Graphite, acid-treated

Bioaccumulation: aquatic / sediment

Description of key information

Graphite, acid-treated is an inorganic solid, consisting of natural graphite and variable amounts of either intercalated nitric acid or acetic acid. The main component – graphite - is a naturally occurring inorganic solid substance which is insoluble in water. Due to its physico-chemical properties, i.e. absence of lipophilic functional groups which would enhance the lipid (fat) solubilisation properties and therefore facilitate the uptake into the organism, graphite itself can be regarded as not bioaccumulative and harmless. 
The intercalated acid (nitric or acetic acid) and the intercalated ions (nitrite/nitrate, acetate) are partially leached out by water. Given the polar character of the naturally ubiquitous ions an uptake and accumulation across the hydrophobic biological membranes can be excluded. The partially leached out ions are – due to their ubiquitous character – subject to ready biodegradation processes.
Taking these arguments into account a biomagnification along the food chain, which might lead to adverse effects, can therefore be excluded.   
Relevant exposure of the aquatic compartment is unlikely regarding the use of graphite, acid-treated. Production and use of graphite, acid-treated only take place at a small number of industrial sites with no relevant releases of this substance to the environment or to waste water streams and with no probability of any significant release to the environment from products during their life cycle. 
Against this background and due to the physico-chemical properties of graphite, acid-treated performance of a study on aquatic bioaccumulation is not required under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH).